“There are different kinds of knowing one,” Grace said. “We are all used to each other, and our husbands knew one another, in some cases for years before joining us for breakfast and, eventually, joining the family. It is not surprising to me that he was a little quiet.”

“That is true.” Eleanor just wished she could discover more about how he thought. Or if he thought. “I suppose breakfast was not the place to discover everything I wish to know about him.”

“At least you now know that he can tolerate a lot of small children at one time.” Charlotte grinned. “Even naughty ones.”

That made Eleanor smile as well. “I wonder what his childhood was like.”

“There is only one way to find out,” Grace said. “Ask him. As long as you do not ask anything shocking, there is no reason for you to be reticent.”

That was an excellent point. “I will.” Tonight at the ball, Eleanor would get him to talk about himself. “He has asked me for the supper dance.”

“That will be a waltz,” Charlotte said. “Elizabeth Harrington stopped by yesterday and told me the order of the sets.”

“How does she like being back in England?” Eleanor had been wondering if Elizabeth missed Paris. And ever since Walter had announced he would be going to Spain, Eleanor had been thinking about what it would be like to live on the Continent instead of merely passing through places. From what Augusta and Phinn had told them, traveling seemed like a fascinating thing to do.

“She has mixed feelings. She loved Paris and France, but now that her brother has started a family and hers is increasing, she likes the idea of all the children growing up together. She and Harrington still plan to visit Paris regularly.”

Madeline had placed her elbows on the table and cradled her face in her hands. “I want to visit the Continent. It is a shame that ladies cannot do a Grand Tour as part of their education.”

“Perhaps someday.” If only Cousin Jane and Hector were back home, Eleanor could probably talk Grace into letting them go for a few months, but Madeline’s mother would no doubt argue against the trip. “We will have daughters one day. We could make it part of their education.” Eleanor looked up and found Dotty staring at her. “Do I have a spot on my gown?”

“No. You have just given me an excellent idea. There is no reason I can see why young ladies should not be able to travel before marrying and starting a family.”

In Eleanor’s mind she could hear at least one of her brothers-in-law groaning. But she knew they would go along with the scheme. Any gentleman she married must as well. “This is the nineteenth century, after all.”